When you are first getting braces on, you might be a bit concerned about what to expect. Although it’s not a scary process, you will experience some soreness or pressure. The mechanics are meant to align your teeth together. They do so by slowly adjusting where your teeth need to be to maximize your smile and functionality. While this isn’t painful, you should be aware of what to expect when getting them.
The process of getting them
After having an initial discussion with your dentist about your alignment options, you will choose what you’d like. Each is a different price point, and many offer low visibility options, making patients more comfortable with their smiles as they get adjustments. Once you are getting them on, it will take about one to two hours. Typically, small rubber-band like rings are put around some of your teeth. It is normal to experience some pressure during this time. Then, glue is applied to the brackets that will be placed on your teeth and connected with wires. Within the next few hours, you can expect some soreness, as your teeth are beginning to adjust and are adapting to the change.
Tightening
You can expect to have frequent visits with your dentist to ensure that your alignments are going well and meeting your treatment plan. There may be times where adjustments may take longer or shorter, depending on how quickly your teeth adjust to the pressure and change. The process of tightening your braces is meant to slowly apply tension to your teeth to pull them to the correct position. Frequently, the time frames that you expect to wear them change in accordance with the progression of movement.
How often do they need to be tightened?
Usually, every few weeks, you will need to have your dentist tighten them. This allows enough time for your teeth to acclimate to the difference. At your appointment, your dentist will also look at the elastic bands and quality of the metal to ensure going accordingly. If you experience soreness, you can rectify this with an over-the-counter pain killer. You may also get a soft wax from your provider that can aid in any irritation along the inside of the mouth, which can help protect against sores or irritation.
Maintenance
Be cautious of the foods you eat, as things like popcorn or hard candy can be a bit too rough and can cause damage to them. Even gum can be risky. Speak with your provider about what foods to absolutely avoid. If you experience soreness, try to aim for softer foods like yogurts, fruits, or oatmeal. Make sure to clean them often with a brush to get in between the teeth, ensuring you remove any particles of food that can harvest unwanted bacteria. With proper maintenance of your braces and appropriate tightening by your dentist, you’ll enjoy your new smile in no time!
Request an appointment here: https://www.vidadental.com or call VidaDental: Kenia Cuevas, DDS at (305) 230-4487 for an appointment in our Doral office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Braces in Doral, FL.
Related Posts
When people fail to care for their teeth properly, they can end up with dental cavities that require a tooth filling. When there is a cavity, it will need to be filled to prevent further decay and infection. The following article offers oral care tips that can help you prevent cavities and the need for…
A cosmetic dentist can repair your cracked tooth. This dental damage can result from an injury or accident. Correcting the situation is possible with the right treatment. Here are the details on how your cosmetic dentist can treat your cracked tooth.These thin shells cover the front side of the teeth. The cosmetic dentist can use…
A general dentist is the main provider of preventive and therapeutic dental services, both of which are important in maintaining oral health. You see them for routine checkups, often the first point of contact for unexpected dental problems, and the provider who refers you to dental specialists when needed. Think of them as primary care…
Routine checkups from your general dentist can maintain or even improve your dental health. It can be challenging to keep your dental appointments because of busy schedules and demanding lifestyles. But making an effort to keep them can be very rewarding. Here are the details on how regular appointments with your general dentist can maintain…